Tragedy As Young Bride Dies Just Days After Her Husband

The Feed

Posted on September 23, 2016
by Deirdre Fogarty

The heartbreaking story of a young couple - who were the inspiration behind bestselling novel and movie The Fault In Our Stars - has reached its tragic conclusion, with 26-year-old Katie Prager passing away just five day after her beloved husband.

"Early this morning, she gained her wish of being at home, in her bed, surrounded by her mom, dad, brother and her dogs, dying peacefully, away from the hospital, tubes, IVs," Debra Donovan wrote.

"Katie knew how much she was loved. She know how much I loved her, I told her and showed her everyday.

"We were given a great gift, we knew her time was short and she was able to do a few things that she wanted, and I am grateful for that.

"The days to follow will not be easy, but I find comfort in knowing that my girl lived, she really lived."

Katie and 25-year-old Dalton, both cystic fibrosis sufferers, initially met online as teenagers and fell in love; they defied doctors' orders, risking the chance of contracting infection, for the chance to be together and got married five years ago.

In a recent interview with CNN, Katie confessed that she would "rather have five years of being in love and just really completely happy than 20 years of not having anybody."

Dalton, who tragically passed away on Saturday following complications from a lung transplant, had planned to fly to be with Katie for one more Christmas but was too ill to travel.

Unable to be by Dalton's bedside in his final moments, Katie FaceTimed her husband as he died, posting a heartfelt tribute after his passing.

"My angel, my best friend, the love of my life, my husband, went to be with the Lord our God today.

"He was a courageous fight and 'give up' wasn't in his vocabulary."

The couple's joint Facebook page has been flooded with tributes to the brave pair.